When it comes to weight reduction, spirulina and whey are two ingredients that will come up regularly.
While the two are completely different in terms of origins and features ” Spirulina is a blue-green algae popularly referred to as “seaweed,” and Whey is the liquid left over after milk has been curdled and strained ” they do have one (obvious) thing in common.
They can be excellent providers of protein. They also have additional beneficial health properties that can assist you in breaking old habits, forming new ones, and achieving the calorie deficits necessary to meet your weight reduction objectives.
Why Supplement With Spirulina Or Amino Acids?
Protein accounts for 17% of our body weight (second only to water which makes up 62 percent of body weight). It is involved in nearly every biological activity, creates enzymes and hormones, and aids in the formation of our tissues, bones, and muscles. Protein is the most vital macronutrient for survival since it is the building block of life.
Many of us, however, don’t receive enough of it. It’s always a good idea to supplement with an additional source, whether it’s owing to dietary constraints, such as eating a plant-based diet and avoiding animal proteins, or because as we get older, our muscles become less sensitive to protein and require more of it.
Whey protein, pea protein, soy protein, hemp protein, and spirulina powders are just a few of the dietary supplements available. However, amino acid powders surpass these dietary protein powders.
It all has to do with protein’s structure. Protein is made up of a series of amino acids connected in a precise sequence. Protein comes in tens of thousands of various forms. The order of amino acids determines the kind of protein and its function in the body.
When we consume dietary protein, such as meat or eggs, or a dietary protein powder, such as whey or spirulina, the protein is broken down into separate amino acids, which move throughout the body and perform different roles. Protein must first be digested and broken down into amino acids before it can be utilized.
Amino acids outperform spirulina and other dietary protein supplements in this category.
Free amino acids that don’t need to be digested are delivered via an amino acid powder. They are instantly ready to work after being admitted!
Amino acid powders can also be manufactured with a specific amino acid ratio to meet certain health requirements. You’ll want a leucine-enriched essential amino acid supplement, for example, if you’re supplementing with protein to assist boost muscle building. If you’re looking for an amino acid powder that also contains creatine and slow-acting whey protein to help you recover faster after an accident or surgery, look for one that also contains creatine and slow-acting whey protein.
The Protein Content Of Spirulina
Spirulina is a fantastic source of protein to add to your diet. It’s classified as a complete protein since it includes all nine necessary amino acids that the body can’t produce on its own. This differentiation isn’t found in many plant-based proteins.
Consider the essential amino acid composition of 1 tablespoon (7 grams) dried spirulina algae (for reference, most scoops of spirulina powder are 3 grams). That’s a total of 4 grams of protein.
Spirulina provides a balanced amino acid composition for human nutrition, despite its low quantities of lysine, histidine, and methionine. The difficulty is that in order to achieve your necessary amino acid requirements, you’d have to eat a lot of it.
Protein digestibility is also a plus for spirulina. The average digestibility of key amino acids in spirulina protein was 85.2 percent, according to a recent research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Compare this to the protein digestibility of egg (97-98%), soy (95-98%), and quinoa (95-98%). (91-92 percent ).
The biological value (BV) of a meal is a measurement of how much protein is absorbed and used by body proteins. Spirulina has a BV of 68 percent (not bad!) since its membrane is easily destroyed by stomach acids, whereas whey protein has a BV of 104 and soy has a BV of 74.
Spirulina Vs Other Foods
When we compare Spirulina to other meals, we can see that it is a highly unique source of minerals and vitamins. After all, a 3 g intake of Spirulina has a stronger anti-inflammatory impact than five daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Hawaiian Spirulina offers the highest nutritional value of any spirulina kind. Hawaiian Spirulina delivers the following nutrients per gram of weight:
- 180% more calcium than whole-fat milk
- 100% more iron than spinach
- 100% more beta-carotene than carrots
- 670% more protein than tofu
- 31 times more phytonutrients than blueberries
- 60 times more phytonutrients than spinach
- 700 times more phytonutrients than apples 180% more calcium than whole-fat milk
- 100% more iron than spinach
- 100% more beta-carotene than carrots
- 670% more protein than tofu
- 31 times more phytonutrients than blueberries
- 60 times more phytonutrients than spinach
- 700 times more phytonutrients than apples
Health Effects And Benefits Of Spirulina
1. Supports The Treatment Of Yeast Infection
Candida is a form of yeast that is found in the microflora of the intestine and mouth. Poor eating habits, such as a high sugar consumption, are the primary cause of their proliferation. Spirulina might be the answer to the rising number of yeast infections. Spirulina kills yeast infection cells and encourages the establishment of good bacterial flora in the intestines, according to the findings of various research.
2. It Helps To Prevent Cancer.
Phycocyanin is a source of blue-green algal coloring, but it’s also an antioxidant that helps Spirulina avoid chronic inflammation and oxidative cell damage. These are occurrences that aid in the spread of cancer. Phycocyanin inhibits the formation of inflammatory signaling molecules and helps to combat free radicals.
3. Helps To Control Excessive Blood Pressure.
Heart attacks, strokes, and renal disease are all caused by high blood pressure. It is sufficient to ingest 4.5 g of Spirulina to avoid certain disorders. While 1 gram had no effect, a dosage of roughly 5 grams can drop blood pressure and control it to a safe range.
4. It Can Regulate Blood Sugar
According to other scientific research, a 2 g intake of Spirulina is enough to considerably lower high blood sugar levels in persons with type 2 diabetes. This quantity can lower glucose levels by 9% to 8%, which may not seem like much, but it can cut the risk of diabetes-related mortality by as much as 21%.
5. Increases Physical Strength And Endurance
Athletes and highly active persons can prevent muscle damage by eating mineral-rich plant meals with antioxidant qualities. Spirulina is one such meal that can considerably boost a person’s endurance, postpone the onset of exhaustion, and increase physical strength.
6. Relieves Symptoms Of Allergic Rhinitis
Spirulina can help to relieve rhinitis and the symptoms that come with allergies to pollen, fur, or dust. According to a 127-person research, a daily intake of 2 g of Spirulina is enough to reduce sneezing, nasal discharge, and itching.
7. It Has The Potential To Be An Excellent Treatment For Anemia.
Anaemia is a condition that primarily affects the elderly, and one of its most prevalent manifestations is a decrease in the number of haemoglobin or red blood cells in the blood. An acute sense of weariness and exhaustion is a common side effect of such a deficiency. A 2011 study found that when seniors were given Spirulina, their haemoglobin and red blood cell content rose. MCV increased during the course of the 12-week research.
8. Lowers The Risk Of Coronary Artery Disease
Spirulina has the ability to lower harmful cholesterol levels. After consuming 1 gram of Spirulina, persons with high cholesterol levels had a 16.3% drop in triglycerin and a 10.1 percent decrease in LDL cholesterol. Higher daily dosages of 4.5 to 8 g were utilized in studies that showed even better benefits.
9. Helps To Remove Heavy Metals
Spirulina has a high chlorophyll content, which helps to improve the immune system and eliminate toxins from the blood. According to a 2006 research, combining a 5 g daily dosage of Spirulina with zinc supplementation can lower harmful arsenic in the body by nearly half. Spirulina is thought to have the ability to bond with radioactive isotopes, making it beneficial in radiotherapy.
10. It Has Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Gamma-linolenic acid is an anti-inflammatory fatty acid that belongs to the category of essential fatty acids. GLA is a nutrient that the human body cannot make on its own and must obtain from outside sources. Spirulina, for example, is a plant food that contains GLA acid. Hair, nails, and skin quality are all affected by gamma-linolenic acid. It also has a good impact on premenstrual syndrome and joint health.
Spirulina Vs. Chlorella
- The only thing they have in common, despite their striking resemblance, is the same plant species.
- Chlorella is a single-celled green algae with a core.
- Spirulina is a multicellular, blue-green cyanobacteria with no core.
- Spirulina may grow to be 100 times larger than Chlorella.
- Spirulina has a spiral form, whereas Chlorella has a circular shape.
- Both of these plants are high in nucleic acids, but Chlorella has nearly twice as much per gram as Spirulina.
- The stiff, indigestible wall of chlorella need further mechanical treatment before to intake. This is reflected in the price of Chlorella, which is more than Spirulina as a result of this procedure.
- The wall of spirulina is easily digested.
- Spirulina and Chlorella have different nutritional profiles, with Spirulina having more essential amino acids, iron, protein, and vitamins B, C, D, and E than Chlorella.
- Spirulina has more iron, protein, and gamma-linolenic acid than chlorella.
- When compared to Spirulina, Chlorella has nearly double the quantity of chlorophyll.
Side Effects Of Spirulina
Make sure you only buy Spirulina of the best quality from the merchant. Spirulina can induce stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, liver damage, and heart palpitations if consumed in polluted water. Spirulina should only be consumed by pregnant or breast-feeding women after consulting with a doctor. Before ingesting Spirulina, even persons with autoimmune illnesses should see their doctor.
What Is The Best Way To Eat Spirulina?
Every beginner should start with little dosages of this alga. Spirulina pills can be taken with water or eaten with bananas, but Spirulina powder can be used in a variety of ways. It may be added to fruit drinks, smoothies, and a variety of other dishes.
Smoothie With Spirulina And Fruit
- 1 banana, ripe
- Chia seeds, 1 teaspoon
- 1 cup blueberries, frozen
- Borecole, 1 cup
- 1 pound spinach
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder